David Walliams relieved after 140-mile Thames charity swim - BBC News David Walliams relieved after 140-mile Thames charity swim 13 September 2011 Close share panel Media captionSpeaking after the end of his epic swim, Walliams said he was "relieved" and "overwhelmed" David Walliams said he felt relieved after completing a 140-mile swim along the length of the River Thames. He reached Westminster Bridge eight days after starting near the river's source, during which he battled illness and rescued a dog. By the time he finished Walliams had raised more than £1m for the Big Splash Challenge for Sport Relief . After his swim, Walliams told the BBC: "A bath is the only water I want to see for quite a while." The comedian had already completed swims across the English Channel in 2006 and the Strait of Gibraltar in 2008 in previous charity events. The Little Britain star entered the water at Teddington Lock on Monday morning, completing a further 15 miles to reach his goal. The last leg of his challenge saw him tackle the tidal stretch of the Thames, with strong currents and undertows, along with busy river traffic.

'Thames tummy' Walliams was greeted on Westminster Bridge by his wife Lara Stone who has been following his progress in a support boat. Fellow comedians Lenny Henry and Miranda Hart and Olympic rower Steve Redgrave were among the huge crowd cheering him on. Image caption David Walliams has raised more than £1m for Big Splash Challenge for Sport Relief As he clambered out of the water just before 18:30 BST towards a podium at County Hall on the southern bank of the Thames, there was a shower of red, white and blue ticker tape. He said as he crossed the finish, there was a wave of "relief that I didn't have to do any more". He began near Lechlade, in Gloucestershire, on 5 September but soon suffered a bout of "Thames tummy" which left him with a high temperature. "It was hard work," Walliams told BBC News. "It was really, really tough and the distance took it out of me. I did a lot of training but I don't know quite how you can prepare for this because it's an endurance event." He said it was "beautiful" coming into London and seeing the Houses of Parliament in the sun.

"I felt really proud to be British and really proud that all the people cared," he said. Organisers of the BT Sport Relief Challenge said Walliams's swim had raised £1,093,325 by the time he finished, with more continuing to come in. David Walliams Thames swim raises over £1.1million | Daily Mail Online comments David Walliams finally reached Westminster this evening after an epic 140-mile swim of the Thames. The Little Britain star, 40, was greeted by his wife Lara Stone, celebrity friends, relatives and hundreds of fans as he climbed up the steps in front of the former County Hall building on the South Bank. Exhausted and achy, the comedian said he was 'OK, a bit tired' after his challenging journey over the past eight days. Scroll down for video Triumphant: David Walliams celebrates swimming 140 miles of the River Thames as he arrives on the South Bank at Westminster The comedian was met by friends Barbara Windsor, Miranda Hart and Lenny Henry as he heard he had raised more than £1.1million for Sport Relief.

Talking to The One Show about 45 minutes after his ascent from the river, he said: 'I feel incredible relief. I'm a bit over swimming... I feel like I've done enough for a lifetime.' RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share Amid widespread congratulations from everyone around him, Walliams played down his achievement: 'It was just swimming. It was just putting one arm in front of the other... just swimming.' Although incredibly shattered following his epic journey, no doubt the adrenaline had kicked in giving Walliams the energy to celebrate as he was showered with ticker tape. Just a few more strokes... Walliams just metres away from the finish line I'm a celebrity... get me out of here! The exhausted comedian is helped out of the water on the steps at the former County Hall All I want is a shandy and my bed: Walliams said he would have a quiet celebration sleeping after his epic journey Despite battling a bout of 'Thames Tummy', a painful rash where his wetsuit rubbed and aching muscles, Walliams hasn't let anything stop him completing the challenge, which saw him swimming over 110,000 strokes.

Reflecting on his journey, he said: 'There was a lot against me at the beginning and the water was a lot colder because the summer was so bad. 'Being sick was a low point. I lost my mojo but I thought if I try I can keep going. 'You are alone with your thoughts for a really long time. Some days I was in the water for 10-12 hours so you sometimes have delusional thoughts so you try to think of songs that you love or movies that you love.' 'Proud to be British': Walliams paid tribute to all those who had supported him along the way, including sponsors and spectators Back in Lara's arms: Walliams managed to sum up the energy to hug his stunning wife Proud wife: Lara looked like she couldn't be happier to have her husband back on dry land and the pair couldn't stop smiling As he prepared to head home for a nice warm bath, he jokingly asked his friend Windsor to sponge him down. He said: 'Dame Barbara, will you bath me? I love this lady!' He paid tribute to those who supported him along the way: 'What took me by surprise was the support. It made me really proud to be British.

It's tough times and people have been so generous with their time and money.' Among those congratulating him on Twitter was James Corden: 'I'm so inspired by David Walliams #thamesswim That next year I am going to try and swim a width of the Thames. Wish me luck!' That's my friend! Barbara Windsor was one of the first people to greet Walliams when he got out of the river Celebrity support: Lenny Henry (centre left) and Barbara Windsor (2nd right) were ready to greet him Chris Moyles, who interviewed Walliams this morning, wrote: 'He did it!!!! Well done David Walliams and @sportrelief amazing achievement and a tonne of money raised for good causes. Respect.' The tide helped the Little Britain star speed along the last 11 miles after a rest at Kew earlier today as he waited for a break in the tide. This morning, Walliams tackled the toughest stretch of the Thames when it becomes tidal, with strong currents and undertows and busy river traffic. A Twitter update on the Sport Relief page this morning explained: 'Day 8 of the #thamesswim is about to begin.

Tidal Thames looking mildly irritated rather than full on angry - wet windy morning though.' So relieved! Walliams declared he was 'a bit over swimming' after his amazing feat Supporters: Hundreds of people were waiting on the South Bank of the Thames to cheer on the comedian at the finish line Walliams has been supported by his Dutch model wife Stone, who travelled in a support boat, and was met along the way by celebrity friends including comics Jimmy Carr, Miranda Hart and Rob Brydon. He said yesterday: 'The two things that have really kept me going so far are the updates of the fundraising totals I'm given and the stunning support I've been given by the public. 'There must have been tens of thousands of people along the route and I can hear their cheers as I'm swimming.

'I never expected this to catch the public's imagination like it has - there seems to have been a real carnival atmosphere around it which is lovely.' Challenging journey: Walliams swam 140 miles from Lechdale in Gloucestershire to Westminster in London over eight days And, speaking ahead of starting his swimming this morning, Walliams added: 'Today will see me entering the tidal stretch of the Thames with all the dangers that brings, so I'll need to be strong.' Last night, Walliams ended his day by arriving at Teddington Lock just before 8pm, greeted by his proud and relieved wife. Lara immediately tweeted her congratulations, exclaiming: 'Made it to Teddington Lock, beyond proud!!! @sportrelief #thamesswim #GODAVID.' Keep going: Walliams, who was said to be 'dog-tired', sits on the support boat for the interview Hero's greeting: David Walliams was given a warm welcome at lunchtime today, before setting off again for Teddington It had been another tough day, which has seen David swim an astonishing 21 miles.

With his Thames tummy taking its toll and the cold rainy weather conditions, he tested himself to the limits of his endurance. Concerned Lara tweeted yesterday afternoon: 'Poor David is in so much pain! Please keep supporting him, remember how far he's swam, and why he's doing this @sportrelief #thamesswim'. To sponsor Walliams, go to Taking its toll: Walliams looked cheerful despite his 'Thames tummy' on the second to last day of his swim In with a splash: David hit the water with renewed vigour to continue his swim David Walliams to swim the Thames for Sport Relief | Television & radio | The Guardian David Walliams David Walliams to swim the Thames for Sport Relief The comedian will set off from Lechlade, Gloucestershire, and swim 140 miles over eight days to reach Big Ben in London David Walliams, who is set to swim the entire length of the river Thames on Monday 5 September to raise money for Sport Relief. Photograph: Dave Hogan/Comic Relief/PA Press Association Close This article is 5 years old David Walliams is braving raw sewage to raise money for Sport Relief by swimming much of the length of the Thames.

The comedian will set off from Lechlade in Gloucestershire on 5 September and swim 140 miles over eight days to reach Big Ben in London . As well as navigating the river traffic, Walliams will have to deal with murky water that harbours bacteria such as E coli, salmonella and hepatitis. Walliams will also have to consider the 39m cubic metres of raw sewage that finds its way into the Thames every year after heavy rainfall. He said: "Most people in the UK know the Thames, and most people think the idea of swimming in it is horrifying. And it is. It'll be relentless. It's a huge distance so I'll need all the support I can get." In 2006 Walliams swam the Channel, raising £1m in aid of Sport Relief. He has also swum the strait of Gibraltar, and last year cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End, also for Sport Relief . Walliams is asking people to sponsor him at .

Comedian falls behind schedule in 140-mile swim for Sport Relief but has still raised more than £200,000 Published: 7 Sep 2011 David Walliams' serious stomach bug hinders Thames charity swim | Metro News Emily Hewett for Metro.co.uk Thursday 8 Sep 2011 12:41 pm It’s day four of David Walliams’ charity river swim and he’s falling behind schedule after coming down with a serious dose of ‘Thames tummy’. David Walliams is attempting to swim the length of the Thames for Sport Relief in just eight days but has caught a serious stomach bug along the way (Picture: Getty) The comedian, 40, is attempting to complete the 140-mile swim from Gloucestershire to London over eight days to raise money for Sport Relief. However, high hopes have been dampened as the comic has been taken ill with a high temperature, vomiting and diarrhoea, dubbed ‘Thames tummy’. Sport Relief tweeted this morning: ‘Won’t make Henley or probably Sonning tonight now; Caversham Lock looking like the hopeful end point early evening now #thamesswim.

‘He’s burning 8000 calories a day so the fact that Thames Tummy is wiping out his appetite is not good. #thamesswim’ However, Walliams told Sport Relief bosses this morning that he has no intention of letting the bug stop him from completing his challenge. A Twitter post on the Sport Relief page earlier today read: ‘He’s back in the water though – and as he just said, as long as he can put one arm over the other he’ll carry on. #thamesswim.’ The unfortunate news comes after Walliams admitted yesterday: ‘I always knew there was a risk that taking in the water could cause problems, but now it’s happened it’s still hit me really hard. I was sweating in the night and have been to the toilet a lot this morning.’ The Little Britain star, who set out from Lechlade, Gloucstershire, to swim to London’s Big Ben, is being forced to take regular breaks but has still managed to raise more than £330,000 for Sport Relief just half way into his challenge.

Walliams – who previously swam the Channel in 2006 for Sport Relief and raised £1million – said: ‘This is already much harder than I thought it would be. ‘This Thames tummy I’ve got is making the task seem incredibly difficult. London seems a long way away.’ By last night he had reached Wallingford Bridge, Oxfordshire, and was only an hour behind schedule. He covered 14 miles in day three and has swum a total of 58 miles so far. The BT Sport Relief Challenge: Walliams vs The Thames is being filmed for a documentary to be broadcast in the build-up to the Sport Relief weekend in March next year. Walliams has previously swum the Straits of Gibraltar, and last year cycled from John O’Groats to Lands End, also for Sport Relief. To sponsor David go to More David Walliams (Comedian) - Pics, Videos, Dating, & News David Walliams Male Born Aug 20, 1981 David Edward Walliams is an English comedian, writer, children's author and actor, known for his partnership with Matt Lucas on the TV sketch show Little Britain and its predecessor Rock Profile.

More recently he and Lucas wrote and starred in Come Fly with Me. David is currently a judge on series 6 of Britain's Got Talent.… Read More related links Photos View newly released photos of David Walliams. David Walliams: The Boy In The Dress Who Became A National Treasure Guardian (UK) - Dec 25, 2015 ' From Little Britain to acclaimed childrenâs author, Walliamsâs popularity crosses generations. Now he stars in an adaptation of his latest book, Billionaire Boy The first time <mark>David Walliams</mark> performed in a dress was at school. He was 11 and had been cast as a queen in his school play. âStepping off the stage that night, I was a hundred times happier than I could ever say,â he wrote in his 2012 autobiography, Camp David. âI had generated laughter. Loud, explosive, wonderful lau...

David Walliams 'fails Young Readers With Dumbed Down Books' Daily Mail (UK) - Apr 04, 2015 '\n Author Anthony Horowitz said books by comedian <mark>David Walliams</mark> â who was the UKâs top-selling childrenâs author last year â are âwitty and entertainingâ but nowhere near ambitious enough.\n ' Miranda Hart, David Walliams And Jo Sargent Launch Production Company Guardian (UK) - Jul 21, 2014 'King Bert Productions, backed by BBC Worldwide, is adapting Walliams novel Boy in the Dress and producing Big School Miranda Hart, <mark>David Walliams</mark> and Absolutely Fabulous producer Jo Sargent have launched an independent production company backed by the commercial arm of the BBC. Continue reading...

' 'super Coach' Hints At Next Big Sport Relief Project Bucks Free Press - Jan 05, 2014 '\n THE man who prepared <mark>David Walliams</mark> and Eddie Izzard for their epic sporting challenges has hinted at the next major project in his long-running charity role.\n' Learn about the memorable moments in the evolution of David Walliams. CHILDHOOD 1971 Birth Born on August 20, 1971. TEENAGE 1990 18 Years Old During university holidays in 1990, Walliams performed with the National Youth Theatre, where he met future comedy partner and friend Matt Lucas. … Read More He changed his stage name to David Walliams when he joined the actors' union Equity, as there was already a member named David Williams.he also worked on the X FACTOR in 1971 for 2 years <br /><br /> Walliams performed in the Big Finish Productions Doctor Who audio play Phantasmagoria, written by Mark Gatiss.

Read Less THIRTIES 2003 - 2007 3 More Events 2003 31 Years Old From 2003 to 2005 Walliams co-wrote and co-starred in three series of the BBC sketch show Little Britain with Matt Lucas. … Read More The programme first aired on BBC Three before moving to the more mainstream BBC One. A successful live stage show of the series, Little Britain Live, was produced in 2006. A number of seasonal and charity specials followed, up to 2009. A spin-off series produced in the USA by HBO, Little Britain USA, aired in 2008. Read Less 2005 33 Years Old In 2005 Walliams, Simon Pegg, Lucy Davis and Lauren Laverne starred in the video for Charlotte Hatherley's single Bastardo. … Read More Later in the year, Walliams presented a documentary on James Bond, entitled David Walliams: My Life with James Bond.

Read Less 2007 35 Years Old In 2007 he returned to non-comedy television, garnering excellent reviews for his portrayal of a suave and dangerous manipulator in Stephen Poliakoff's Capturing Mary. Show Less On 26 August 2008 Walliams made his stage debut at the Gate Theatre in Dublin opposite Michael Gambon in Harold Pinter's No Man's Land, in front of an audience that included Pinter himself. … Read More The production transferred to London later in the year.<br /><br /> In 2013 he played the part of Bottom in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the NoÃ«l Coward Theatre opposite Sheridan Smith as Titania.<br /><br /> In early 2008 Walliams signed a contract with HarperCollins to publish two children's books. Read Less The debut novel, The Boy in the Dress, illustrated by Quentin Blake, was released worldwide on 1 November 2008. … Read More It explores several of the themes of Little Britain from Walliams' own life on an emotional level, such as the camp humour of cross-dressing and effeminacy.

The story recounts a neglected 12-year-old boy called Dennis' search for a female role model, his friendship with the popular girl in school, and the ways in which relationships develop along gender lines. The story has a strong resonance with Anne Fine's 1989 book Bill's New Frock. It was announced that this book will be adapted into a film for Christmas 2014.<br /><br /> In November 2009 came Mr Stink, again illustrated by Quentin Blake, about a 12-year-old girl who meets a tramp and helps look after him. She keeps him hidden from her family. The book consists of 26 illustrated chapters full of jokes. It is aimed at teenagers and children over 9. It was the last of Walliams books to be illustrated by Quentin Blake. The book was awarded the Children's Award in the inaugural People's Book Prize in 2010, and was made into a 60-minute film, which premiered on BBC One on 23 December 2012.

Read Less 2009 37 Years Old … In March 2011 Walliams undertook 24 Hour Panel People, in which he took part in back to back recordings of various panel show formats over the course of 24 hours to raise money for Comic Relief. The recordings were streamed live on the BBC website. He took part in 19 episodes of "classic" TV panel shows. <br /><br />From 5 to 12 September 2011 Walliams swam the length of the River Thames (140 miles) and raised more than Â£2m for Sport Relief. In the process, he saved a dog from drowning in the river. Once he had got out of the river Walliams said "I think a bath is the only water I will be seeing for a while." The swim resulted in him getting giardiasis and injuring a intervertebral disc. In late 2013, Walliams had emergency back surgery to alleviate issues caused by the swim. <br /><br />In 2008, Walliam's father, Peter, died of an aggressive form of liver cancer.

Read Less In 2009, Walliams began dating Dutch model Lara Stone. On 20 January 2010, they announced their engagement. Walliams proposed to Stone in Los Angeles after her parents had given their blessing to the relationship. On 16 May 2010, the couple were married at central London's Claridge's Hotel. In December 2012, the couple announced that Stone was pregnant with their first child and on 6 May 2013, Stone gave birth to their son, Alfred. It was reported on 4 March 2015 that, following five years of marriage, the pair had decided to try a trial separation after "drifting apart". 2010 38 Years Old Walliams portrayed comedian Frankie Howerd in the BBC Four television film Rather You Than Me. In 2010, Walliams appeared with Paul Rudd and Steve Carell in the comedy Dinner for Schmucks. FORTIES On 21 March 2012 Walliams was the narrator of Are You Having a Laugh? … Read More TV and Disability on BBC Two.

Read Less In 2012 he narrated the ITV2 series Top Dog Model. In April 2012 Walliams appeared in an episode of ITV's Perspectives programme entitled "David Walliams: The Genius of Dahl". … Read More Walliams played the mole-like alien Gibbis in the sixth series of Doctor Who, "The God Complex". Read Less 2014 42 Years Old In March 2014 Walliams narrated a short video for the charity, Electrical Safety First, featuring the character Charley from the Charley Says educational films of the 1970s. … Read More Walliams wrote and starred in two series of the BBC One sitcom Big School, playing the role of chemistry teacher Keith Church. The series also starred Catherine Tate, Frances de la Tour and Phillip Glenister. In June 2015, it was announced that Big School would not be returning for a third series.

Read Less Show Less … David Edward Williams (born 20 August 1971), known as David Walliams, is an English comedian, actor, author, presenter, television presenter and activist, known for his partnership with Matt Lucas on the BBC One sketch shows Little Britain, Rock Profile and Come Fly with Me. <br /><br />Since 2012 Walliams has been a judge on the ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent. He wrote and starred in two series of the BBC One sitcom Big School, playing the role of chemistry teacher Keith Church. Read Less In 2015 he starred as Tommy Beresford in the BBC series Partners in Crime based on the Tommy and Tuppence novels by Agatha Christie. … Read More Walliams is also a writer of children's books. To date he has sold more than 12.5 million copies and his books have been translated into 46 languages. He has been described as "the fastest growing children's author in the UK": his literary style has been compared to that of Roald Dahl.<br /><br /> Walliams was born David Edward Williams in Merton, London.

He is the son of Peter Williams, a London Transport engineer, and Kathleen (Ellis), a lab technician, and grew up in Banstead, Surrey. Walliams was educated at Collingwood Boys' School in Wallington, and the independent Reigate Grammar School in Surrey, where he was a contemporary of Robert Shearman. From 1989 to 1992, he studied at the University of Bristol, where he resided at Manor Hall and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Drama) in 1992. Read Less For Comic Relief 2015, Walliams appeared as Lou Todd and Stephen Hawking in the Andy Pipkin role along with Catherine Tate as a nun. In 2015, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of Agatha Christie's birth, Walliams played the role of Tommy Beresford in Partners in Crime, a six-part BBC series. In September 2015, Walliams began filming for his BBC sketch show Walliams & Friend, which also starred Joanna Lumley and Morgana Robinson and premiered on Christmas Eve in 2015.

… Read More The show will return for a full series in 2016/2017. Read Less … Since 2012 Walliams has been a judge on the ITV talent show Britain's Got Talent with Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell. Read Less In 2015, he was recognised at the National Television Awards as Best Judge for his involvement in the series. … Read More Walliams and Matt Lucas first met at the National Youth Theatre. At their first meeting, Lucas did an impression of Jimmy Savile and Walliams an impression of Frankie Howerd. They would not meet again for another year. In the late 1990s, playing minor roles in sketches such as The Club, Walliams and Lucas played grotesque caricatures of various rock musicians in the series Rock Profile and in the spoof documentary series Sir Bernard's Stately Homes. They were also stars of the Paramount Comedy Channel show Mash and Peas, and it was in this guise that they appeared in the Fat Les video (see above).

Walliams and Lucas also had small roles in Plunkett and Maclaine as prisoners.<br /><br /> The duo appeared together in a music video for the Pet Shop Boys single "I'm with Stupid", in which the two are apparently auditioning their version of the song's video for Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, who are tied up and appear to be hostages. Read Less On 9 September 2015, Walliams filed for divorce from Stone, citing "unreasonable behaviour". … Read More The couple were granted a decree nisi the next day, making the marriage null and void six weeks after the date of filing.<br /><br /> Walliams hinted at being pansexual in the book Inside Little Britain, but said he did not like to be labelled by that word. In an interview with Radio Times in 2013, he stated: "I think it's all about falling in love with the person and that is overlooked, really. I hate it when people 'confess' or 'reveal' their sexuality and also things can change for people over the years. So it is about the person but I also think it goes beyond that. You don't just fall in love with someone's body, do you?

You fall in love with someone's soul and heart and brain."<br /><br /> Walliams has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and described his 2006 swim of the English Channel as "some sort of redemption". Read Less In 2015, Walliams backs children's fairytales app GivingTales in aid of UNICEF together with Roger Moore, Stephen Fry, Ewan McGregor, Joan Collins, Joanna Lumley, Michael Caine, Charlotte Rampling and Paul McKenna. In addition to his writing credits for his Sketch Shows and adaptions of his novels, it was announced in November 2015 that he would be co-writing an animated feature with filmmaker Edgar Wright for DreamWorks Animation. … Read More In July 2016, it was announced the it would be titled Shadows and be released in 2019.<br /><br /> Walliams was given a special award in recognition of his sporting efforts for charity. Matt Lucas produced a documentary on the subject, entitled Little Britain's Big Swim.

On 6 November 2006, Walliams won the Pride of Britain Award for "The Most Influential Public Figure" as he raised more than Â£1.5 million swimming the channel for the Sport Relief charity. Although initially tipped as a contender for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year poll for 2006, Walliams failed to make the final shortlist of 10 contenders. Walliams was given a special award during the ceremony for his achievement. In July 2006, he became Patron of 'Cardiac Risk in the Young'.<br /><br /> In September 2011 Walliams won the Lincolnshire Young People's Book Award in the 9-11-year-old category with his book, Mr Stink. The award is voted for by the school children of Lincolnshire. Read Less Walliams won the award for Best TV Judge at the 2015 National Television Awards.

… Read More Walliams co-hosted a segment of the Sport Relief telethon in 2012, co-hosting the 22:00â22:40 slot with Miranda Hart when the show moved over to BBC Two while the BBC News at Ten was aired.<br /><br /> Walliams also co-hosted the 2014 Sport Relief telethon. This time, he hosted the earlier slot between 19:00â22:00 with Gary Lineker and later Davina McCall.<br /><br /> On 4 July 2006 Walliams swam the English Channel for Sport Relief. It took him 10 hours and 34 minutes to swim the 22-mile (35 km) stretch of sea, equivalent to 700 lengths of an Olympic-size swimming pool. This was wrongly reported as one of the top 50 recorded times for an unaided Channel crossing; in reality Walliams placed 167th at the time of crossing in only the CSA listings, excluding the CSPF listings. He raised over Â£1 million in donations.

Under the supervision of his trainer, he trained for nine months to prepare for the swim. The training had to coincide with Walliams and Lucas's Little Britain Live tour, so he daily had to train for several hours before performing on stage in the evening. Walliams first swam from Lee-on-the-Solent near Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight in around two hours and also completed an eight-hour swim off the coast of Croatia before embarking on the cross-Channel attempt. Walliams has insisted that prior to his challenge he had never seriously taken part in any sport. The Bluetones' lead singer Mark Morriss wrote a song, "Fade In/Fade Out", in honour of Walliams' achievement; it can be found on their self-titled album, released on 9 October 2006. Read Less Walliams dives in for charity Thames swim – The Sun LITTLE Britain star David Walliams set off today on his most dangerous challenge so far  swimming from the source of The Thames to Big Ben in London. The comedian is raising money for Sport Relief by covering 140 miles of Britain’s longest river over the course of eight days.

Hundreds of wellwishers lined the river bank at its source in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, to give the comic a loud send off as he plunged into the icy waters, wearing Speedos, goggles and a swimming cap. Before diving in he said that when the swim got really tough, he would think about how the money he raised would help some of the poorest people in the world. He said: “I think about happy things, I think about what I’m going to eat when I get out. “I think about songs and I have been on some trips with Comic Relief and Sport Relief and I think about the people the money raised will help. “I met this boy in Kenya on the street. His name is Philip and he’s 12-years-old and he’s been homeless for four years. “His mum and dad are dead and he lives in desperate circumstances. “Sport Relief funds a centre that gives him education, food, shelter and healthcare. “I think about him because he is such a sweet boy, with so much hope. “I said ’what do you want to be when you’re older?’ and he said he wanted to be a pilot. “He’s living in the most desperate circumstances yet he still has great aspirations.

“I think about him and not wanting to let him down.” Walliams described himself as a “masochist” for wanting to do another swimming challenge. He said: “I wanted to do something else and I’d just turned 40 and I thought I haven’t got much time left because my body is falling apart. “I thought I better get on and do something because one day it’s going to be too late.” Walliams said this swim would be 120 miles longer than swimming the English Channel. He added: “That’s the scary thing. It’s all right to be full of bravado today but this is day one of what will probably be eight days of swimming. “So that’s what really scares me, the mental challenge of days five, six and seven. “It may be a bit easier when the end’s in sight but I just worry about the middle bit when it’s going to be lonely and a bit boring. “The nice thing about this, as opposed to the Channel, is the people can come out and see you. “And seeing this part of the country.

People think of the Thames as being London but it’s about 120 miles until you get to Teddington Lock.” Walliams said he had not thought about what he might do next but was considering hanging up his trunks. He said: “The day after I swam the Channel people said ’what are you doing next? Do you want to go up Everest?’ “I think I should hang up my trunks after this. I haven’t thought about the next challenge, I feel this is enough. “There’s swimming the Atlantic but that’s too hard. I looked into it and it’s 3,000 miles and will take about six months – by which time people will have completely forgotten about you.” Walliams’ swim will also see him brave bitingly cold river water, which can cause cramp and involuntary breathing spasms known as a “gasp reflex”. He will battle powerful and unpredictable currents and undertows and will burn the equivalent of 4,400 calories every day. As well as navigating the busy river traffic, David will have to deal with murky water that harbours a cocktail of bacteria such as E.coli, salmonella and hepatitis.

Walliams will also have to avoid the 39million cubic metres of raw sewage that finds its way into the Thames every year after heavy rainfall – as well as swans. The comedian added: “When I got here last night there were about 30 swans and I have been attacked by swans in the training, so I am actually quite nervous about them. “When they’re coming towards you fluffing their wings and hissing when you’re in the water, it’s quite scary.” The BT Sport Relief Challenge: Walliams vs The Thames will be filmed for a documentary to be broadcast in the build up to the Sport Relief weekend in March next year. Walliams is no stranger to getting wet for a good cause  in 2006 he swam the Channel, raising £1million in aid of Sport Relief. He has also swam the Straits of Gibraltar, and last year cycled from John O’Groats to Lands End, also for Sport Relief. Walliams is asking for people to sponsor him at . As well as making a donation, he is looking for some encouragement and hopes members of the public will come to the riverside and cheer him on.

People can check out his GPS tracker online and follow the Twitter feed using #Thamesswim to see where he will be. David Walliams begins Thames swim for charity | Television & radio | The Guardian David Walliams David Walliams begins Thames swim for charity The Little Britain star, who has already conquered the Channel, is aiming to swim the river's 140-mile length for Sport Relief David Walliams takes his first strokes in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, in his attempt to swim the length of the Thames. Photograph: Dave Hogan/Getty Images Monday 5 September 2011 09.32 EDT First published on Monday 5 September 2011 09.32 EDT Close This article is 5 years old The Little Britain star, who raised £1m when he swam the Channel in 2006 , aims to swim 140 miles from Gloucestershire to London over eight days to raise money for Sport Relief . "I must be a masochist," he said at the riverbank at Lechlade, where hundreds of wellwishers saw him take his first plunge into the freezing water.

"I wanted to do something else and I'd just turned 40 and I thought I haven't got much time left because my body is falling apart." "I thought I'd better get on and do something because one day it's going to be too late." Thinking of the children who would be helped by the charity provided his inspiration, he added. He cited a 12-year-old Kenyan boy called Philip who attended a centre which provided him with food, shelter, healthcare and an education, and who wanted to be a pilot. "He's living in the most desperate circumstances yet he still has great aspirations. I think about him and not wanting to let him down." Other thoughts would also help to keep him going. "I think about happy things. I think about what I'm going to eat when I get out," he said. It is unlikely to be the most pleasant of swims in a river that, as TS Eliot pointed out, "sweats oil and tar" . If Walliams successfully avoids the busy river traffic and tourist vessels he will still have to face the perils lurking in the muddy waters, including – among other delights – E coli, salmonella and hepatitis.

Not to mention the 39m cubic metres of raw sewage that finds its way into the Thames every year Walliams – who has also swum the Strait of Gibraltar, and cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End last year – pointed out that this swim would be 120 miles longer than the Channel crossing. "That's the scary thing," he said. "It's all right to be full of bravado today but this is day one of what will probably be eight days of swimming. "So that's what really scares me – the mental challenge of days five, six and seven." The river water will be bitingly cold, which can cause cramp and involuntary breathing spasms known as a "gasp reflexes". Walliams – who is expected to burn 4,400 calories a day swimming 17.5 miles – will also have to battle against the notoriously turbulent Thames, known for its unpredictable currents, dangerous undertows and unidentified floating objects. A GPS tracker linked to the #Thamesswim Twitter hashtag will show online where he is. "The nice thing about this, as opposed to the Channel, is that people can come out and see you," he said.

Despite all the hazard he faces, he said his greatest fear was meeting the birdlife. "When I got here last night there were about 30 swans and I have been attacked by swans in training, so I am actually quite nervous about them," he said. "When you're in the water and they're coming towards you, fluffing their wings and hissing, it's quite scary." Walliams – whose swim will be filmed for a documentary to be broadcast before the Sport Relief weekend next March – would not be drawn on what challenges the future may hold. "The day after I swam the Channel, people said: 'What are you doing next? Do you want to go up Everest?'" he said. But once he has conquered the Thames, he will be tempted to "hang up my trunks", he said. "There's swimming the Atlantic but that's too hard. I looked into it and it's 3,000 miles and will take about six months – by which time people will have completely forgotten about you." Comedian falls behind schedule in 140-mile swim for Sport Relief but has still raised more than £200,000 Published: 7 Sep 2011

Question: David Walliams swam 140 miles of the River Thames in 2011 to raise funds for which charity?
Answer: Sport Relief